Re: Adding Prerequisites to MBs

> From: Douglas Flewelling <dougf@SPATIAL.MAINE.EDU>
> Date: Monday, March 09, 1998 2:07 PM
>
> This is a BSA policy question. I thought I knew the answer to this
but...
>
> Our Council Advancement Committee has set a policy that Swimming merit
> badge must be earned before a Scout can begin earning Canoeing, Rowing,
> Lifesaving, or Small-Boat Sailing merit badges.

You DID know the answer, and still do. However:

1. Swimming IS a prerequisite for Lifesaving. (Requirement 1: Before
doing requirements 2-14 (a) Earn the Swimming merit badge, (b) Swim 400
yards.)

2. Swimming is NOT required for any of the other aquatics merit badges.
That having been said,

3. If you are talking about a council run swimming program, or a council
run summer camp program, where there are scarce resources, i.e. more
Scouts who want the merit badges than there are resources to teach/test
them, then I see no problem with the counselors/administration/program
staff prioritizing which Scouts can take advantage of the program and
doing so by means of giving priority to those with Swimming merit badge.

4. No counselor is REQUIRED to work with any particular Scout on a merit
badge. Thus, if the counselor for the badge says he doesn't want to work
with any Scouts who haven't earned Swimming merit badge (maybe because he
feels that it is necessary for the Scout to survive should he end up in
the water), then I believe that is his prerogative.

Thus, without knowing the context of this restriction I wouldn't hazard a
definitive statement on whether they are out of line. If, on the other
hand, you have a counselor willing to offer the merit badge to Scouts who
do not have Swimming merit badge and the council advancement committee is
telling him that he is not allowed to do so then I certainly believe you
are right and have a problem on your hands.

> I was under the impression that additional requirements could not be
added
> to a merit badge, or any BSA award for that matter. The Requirements
Book
> says something to the effect of no more and no less than the stated
> requirements. The professionals at my council office say they can make
it
> harder but not easier.

The professionals are wrong. (Gee, I said that once before about an SE in
my council and someone took me to task. I guess I just don't learn. :-)
) You cannot add or subtract requirements regardless of whether the end
result is harder or easier. (Advancement Guidelines, 1997 edition, page
14: Scouts must be tested individually, and they must meet all
requirements. No additional requirements may be added.)

--
Bruce E. Cobern
mailto:bec@pipeline.com

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